When it rains, it pours at the Texas State Railroad
TERRIE GONZALEZ
The little girl on the cardboard packaging of Morton's salt says, "When it rains it pours."

Folks at the Texas State Railroad must feel like the salt is being set aside to rub into all their recent wounds, and no doubt they are wondering if their fate can change within the next six weeks.

Bad news has piled up like a train wreck. A collision between two trains July 6 caused a few thousand dollars' damage July 8 and closed the tourist train for the weekend.

Just 48 hours later, six inches of rain pelted the county over a four-hour period and sent an angry Bean's Creek out of its banks where it intersects with the train track. More than 60 feet of track hangs in the air with a 30-foot section of dirt beneath it washed away.

Yes, when it rains, it pours. These one-two punches come on the heals of the 80th Texas Legislature, which decided to ignore the wishes of local people and privatize the train.

The negotiations between the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and American Heritage Railways are not complete and rest at a fragile stage. The unsigned contract among TPWD, AHR and the rail authority calls for an operational train to be handed over to the rail agency on Sept. 1, along with $2 million cash and the promise of $10 million more from enhancement grants or a bond project.

The Texas State Railroad is closed until further notice because of a washout on the tracks at Beans Creek. More than six inches of rain fell in a four-hour period July 8, and left a 60-foot section of track suspended in the air. COURTESY PHOTO: TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

It is readily apparent that the train needs an estimated $250,000 immediately to begin a good-faith effort to make the train whole again in time for the transfer. The wheels of state government have never turned very fast, and officials involved in the negotiations are privately worrying that the wheels may fall off this deal.

We suspect that AHR is stalling to see if the state comes through with cash funding for the TSR Rail Authority, which will oversee the transfer. Thus far, no money has been handed over.

In the meantime, more than 45 state employees who work for the TSR have not been formally offered jobs with AHR. "Get to know you" meetings have taken place, for sure. But AHR has not offered specific job assignments to TSR employees. A signed contract between AHR and TPWD would allow AHR to press forward with orchestrating a smooth, seamless transition.

Failure to ink this deal could lead to the loss of jobs for TPWD employees and the loss of a beloved tourist attraction that faces the risk of never re-opening. The loss of tourist dollars will cost the area millions of dollars.

TPWD officials know how to pull rabbits out of the hat when it comes to borrowing money from 2008 to pay for things in 2007. TPWD must authorize the repairs immediately and fast-track the work as a demonstration of good faith.

A new day dawns for TPWD on Sept. 1. This agency will receive nearly three times more in proceeds from the sporting goods tax which will be more than $80 million.

When the Texas Legislature gaveled "sine die" May 31 and ended the 80th Texas Legislature, some $8 billion was set aside and put in a rainy day fund.

What is a rainy day fund for, if not to cover the unforeseen costs of a disaster?

The individual actions that follow over the next six weeks will be a measure of character and integrity and whether TPWD cares about its employees and the economic future of our area.

It will ultimately be the legacy by which state politicians and bureaucrats will be remembered. Gov. Perry and Lt. Dewhurst must show leadership and solve this issue.

Let's rebuild some track and get repairs started. It's the best $250,000 investment TPWD will make.